Writing a Personal Statement

A personal statement (statement of purpose) is a brief essay (usually 1-2 pages) that an applicant submits as part of the application process for graduate school, residency, scholarship etc. The essay is supposed to capture the applicant’s personal aspirations, goals, and motivations driving the career interest in question. The statement is supposed to give clarity about who the applicant is from a personal and professional point of view. What are their career goals, how have they prepared themselves personally and professionally for this next level in their lives? What experiences stand out in this preparation (personal life challenges, triumphs, leadership roles, culture, contributions to society, work etc)? How will this career move or education be helpful in the applicant’s future career goals?

Questions to ask yourself before you write:

• What's special, unique, distinctive, and/or impressive about you or your life story?
• What details of your life (personal or family problems, history, people or events that have shaped you or influenced your goals) might help the committee better understand you or help set you apart from other applicants?
• When did you become interested in this field and what have you learned about it (and about yourself) that has further stimulated your interest and reinforced your conviction that you are well suited to this field? What insights have you gained?
• How have you learned about this field—through classes, readings, seminars, work or other experiences, or conversations with people already in the field?
• If you have worked a lot during your college years, what have you learned (leadership or managerial skills, for example), and how has that work contributed to your growth?
• What are your career goals?
• Are there any gaps or discrepancies in your academic record that you should explain (great grades but mediocre LSAT or GRE scores, for example, or a distinct upward pattern to your GPA if it was only average in the beginning)?
• Have you had to overcome any unusual obstacles or hardships (for example, economic, familial, or physical) in your life?
• What personal characteristics (for example, integrity, compassion, and/or persistence) do you possess that would improve your prospects for success in the field or profession? Is there a way to demonstrate or document that you have these characteristics?
• What skills (for example, leadership, communicative, analytical) do you possess?
• Why might you be a stronger candidate for graduate school—and more successful and effective in the profession or field than other applicants?
• What are the most compelling reasons you can give for the admissions committee to be interested in you?

Adapted from Purdue Online Writing Lab
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/642/1/    January 11, 2011